(I know that gators don't swim (at least I don't think they do) in salt water)

A tourist fisherman from NY is fishing off the Florida coast. His small boat capsizes. Because he is deadly afraid of alligators he clings to the overturned hull.

He spots an old bearded beachcomber on the beach and shouts out: " Hey! Any gators around here?". The beachcomber shouts back: "Nah! No gators around here for years!"

Feeling reassured, the tourist starts swimming slowly towards shore. About halfway to shore he calls out again to the beachcomber: " "What happened to the gators?"

The beachcomber calls back: "The sharks got 'em".

FWIW, It isn't common but gators and snakes are seen along the coasts and keys here. Don't forget about our little saltwater crocks further south too. All the Best